Wal-Mart Sued Over Pay Dispute

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s biggest retailer, was sued Thursday by a former employee who says the company systematically avoids paying workers for overtime.

The lawsuit, filed in New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, seeks class-action status for about 20,000 current and former employees living in New York. Similar suits have been filed against Wal-Mart in 11 other states, one of which was recently settled in Colorado for more than $50 million, plaintiffs’ attorneys said.

The former employee, Maria Gamble, said she worked at a Wal-Mart in Centereach, N.Y., from 1995 to 1996. During that time, Gamble said she was routinely locked in the store for up to two hours after “clocking out,” in order to restock shelves, count out cash registers and perform other tasks.

Wal-Mart spokesman Bill Wertz declined to comment specifically on the lawsuit, saying the company had not seen it.